Textbook question is not anti-Semitic

Regarding The Tennessean May 15 article "School textbook that outraged parents will get district review": While anti-Semitism ought to be confronted, that is not at the heart of this issue.

In a response published by Fox News on April 27, the textbook's author James Rubenstein stated, "understanding why they (suicide bombers) did it doesn't mean we are justifying what they did." In other words, discussing the political character of Palestinian suicide bombings is neither an attempt to justify violence, nor a tactic to undermine Israel or disrespect Jewish identity. Rather, this discussion promotes thinking about the social and political meanings of terrorism and other political violence.

Claims of anti-Semitism ought not be used as rhetorical tools to promote narrow political agendas or worldviews. The inappropriate use of anti-Semitic claims to challenge texts designed to consider the complex historical, political and social aspects of global conflict is troubling.

Matt Frierdich

Nashville 37215

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Textbook question is not anti-Semitic

Regarding The Tennessean May 15 article 'School textbook that outraged parents will get district review': While anti-Semitism ought to be confronted, that is not at the heart of this issue.